Rita Ora wished she collaborated with Ed Sheeran 'sooner'

Rita Ora thinks she should have collaborated with Ed Sheeran "sooner", because they have been friends since she was 16 years old

Rita Ora thinks she should have collaborated with Ed Sheeran "sooner".

The 27-year-old artist teamed up with the 26-year-old singer and songwriter earlier this year to record 'Your Song', but the 'Black Widow' hitmaker felt it was inevitable the pair would work together because they have been friends for over 10 years, although Rita wished they had of joined forces earlier.

Speaking to 'Entertainment Tonight', she said: "No one really knows this, but I've known Ed since I was 16, and we stayed friends really. We met ages ago. It's really great because we both really evolved in our own way, and no one really collided in our organic, authentic relationship. And so it was only a matter of time before we were going to work together.

"But we should have done it sooner."

But the 'Fifty Shades Darker' actress is "very happy" the pair have finally created a single together.

She added: "I'm very happy that we got to really join our forces together."

Rita has revealed the project was all arranged via email, and the track only took "two hours" to complete, which felt unusual for the star.

She explained: "It was all done through email and then we met in London. Did the song in two hours and it didn't even feel like work. And, honestly, it just came out.

"And the streaming and the people online have been really supportive."

The 'Hot Right Now' vocalist has praised the 'Castle on the Hill' hitmaker for his "funny" personality and for being down to earth.

Speaking about the red head, she said: "What I love about Ed, I think it's just the fact that he's so funny. He is proper funny and he's like a normal person, is just a lad. He has a lot to say, and. And he's really good with timing."